Aside

Connect with Me

Links & Resources

Skills

High-Resolution Respirometry
Doppler Ultrasound
Exercise Testing
Phlebotomy
Undergraduate Mentoring
In Vivo MR Spectroscopy
R
NIRS
Microdialysis

Ongoing Projects

A Guide for the Analysis of High-Resolution Respirometry Data Using R: Version 2 Available on my GitHub

respirometR a package for analyzing Oxygraph O2K data using R (under development)

Disclaimer

Last updated on 2021-04-19 using R version 4.0.5 and pagedown.

Main

Stephen Decker

MS, CEP

Academic Training

Ph.D. in Kinesiology

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts

2022 - 2018

  • Mentor: Gwenael Layec, Ph.D. PubMed
  • Dissertation: The Role of Sirtuins and BH4 in Cigarette Smoke-Induced Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction
  • Mastered High-Resolution Respirometry, and Doppler Ultrasound by conducting dozens of independent experiments. Proficient in 31P-MRS and immunohistochemistry. I have also performed pilot experiments assing H2O2 and mitochondrial membrane potential in permeabilized skeletal muscle.

PhD. in Nutrition & Integrative Physiology

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

2018 - 2017

  • Mentor: Gwenael Layec, Ph.D.
  • Transferred to the University of Massachusetts Amherst

Clinical Exercise Physiologist

Baylor College of Medicine

Houston, Texas

2017 - 2016

  • Supervisor: Dennis T Villareal, MD PubMed
  • Responsible for all clinical research exercise testing, prescription, and supervision over exercise sessions with high-risk clinical populations. All work was part of several clinical trials where I also analyzed and prepared the data for reporting.
  • Mastered VO2max tests with EKG, phlebotomy, muscle performance tests, and DXA scans by performing hundreds of successful tests on high-risk clinical populations, including elderly individuals with diagnosed heart diseases, PAD, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, and hypogonadism.

M.S. in Kinesiology

Stephen F. Austin State University

Nacogdoches, Texas

2016 - 2014

  • Mentor: Dr. James Rowe
  • Thesis: Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Postprandial Lipemia and Glycemia

B.S. in Kinesiology

Stephen F. Austin State University

Nacogdoches, Texas

2014 - 2010

  • Graduated with honors, Cum Laude

Publications

Skeletal muscle Mitochondrial Adaptations Induced by Long-term Cigarette Smoke Exposure

Decker, ST, Kwon, OS, Zhao, J, Hoidal, JR, Hueckstadt, T, Richardosn, RS, Sanders, KA, Layec, G

N/A

2021

American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology & Metabolism

Sampling Arterial Input Function (AIF) from Peripheral Arteries: Comparison of a Temporospatial-feature Based Method Against Conventional Manual Method [PubMed]

Li, X, Conlin, CC, Decker, ST, Hu, N, Mueller, M, Khor, L, Hanrahan, C, Layec, G, Lee, VS, Zhang, JL

N/A

2019

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE) Mediates Cigarette Smoke-Induced Skeletal Muscle Adaptations in C57BL/6 Mice

Decker, ST, Kwon, OS, Zhao, J, Hoidal, JR, Hueckstadt, T, Sanders, KA, Layec, G

N/A

In Preparation

31P-MRS of Alkaline Inorganic Phosphate in Young, Sedentary Adults: A Reproducibility Study

Matias, AA, Decker, ST, Nagarajan, R, Le Fur, Y, Layec, G

N/A

In Preparation

Central and Peripheral Cardiovascular Responses to Submaximal Plantar Flexion Exercise in Patients with COPD

Matias, AA, Thurston, T, Decker, ST, Hart, CH, Zhao, J, Le Fur, Y, Jeong, EK, Trinity, JD, Kwon, OS, Layec, G

N/A

In Preparation

Oral Presentations

The Physiological Role of Sirtuins: A Target for Aging or More Hype?

University of Amherst Department of Kinesiology

Amherst, Massachusetts

2019

Effects of Tetrahydrobiopterin on Limb Blood Flow and Muscle Metabolism in Patients with COPD

ISMRM Annual Meeting

Montreal, Quebec

2019

Selected Posters & Abstracts

Oxidative Stress Induced By Long-Term Cigarette Smoke Exposure Does Not Alter Mitochondrial Respiration in Skeletal Muscle of C57BL/6 Mice

New Insights into the Biology of Exercise

Keystone, Colorado

2020

Knockout of the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE) Increases Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria Content and Alters Mitochondrial Function

Muscle Biology Conference

Gainesville, Florida

2019

Effects of Tetrahydrobiopterin on Limb Blood Flow and Muscle Metabolism in Patients with COPD

ACSM Annual Meeting

Minneapolis, Minnesota

2018

Effects of Acute Exercise on Postprandial Lipemia and Postprandial Glycemia

Texas ACSM Regional Conference

Waco, Texas

2017

Funding

Teaching Philosophy

I am very enthusiastic about sharing knowledge and teaching. I believe it is important to acknowledge the numerous ways in which students learn, and how past personal experiences shape each student’s worldview and the learning process. Therefore, learning must be a journey that is tailored to students’ needs. I aim to bring an open mind and high expectations to the classroom, where I aspire to create an inclusive and welcoming environment that also encourages students to achieve higher learning outcomes.

Research Travel Award Recipient

University of Amherst Department of Kinesiology

N/A

2020

Awarded $500

Predoctoral Fellowship

American Heart Association

N/A

2019

Not Funded

Trainee Stipend Award

International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

N/A

2019

Awarded $200 and Conference Registration

Student Research Development Award

Texas American College of Sports Medicine

N/A

2016

Awarded $500

Teaching Experience

KIN 272 - Anatomy and Physiology II (Instructor of Record)

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts

2021

Instructed 1 section of A&P II to over 20 undergraduate students with the goal of understanding human anatomy and physiology and applying that understanding to career goals and real-life case studies.

Kin 470 - Exercise Physiology Lab (TA)

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts

2021

Led 2 sections of Exercise Physiology Lab to over 20 upper-level undergraduate students with the goal of advancing student understanding of physiology and applying that understanding to career goals and real-life case studies.

KIN 270 - Anatomy and Physiology I Lab (TA)

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts

2020

Led 5 sections of A&P I Lab to over 30 undergraduate students with the goal of understanding human anatomy and physiology and applying that understanding to career goals and real-life case studies.

Kin 570 - Advanced Exercise Physiology (TA)

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts

2019

Aided in teaching 15 graduate students (M.S.- & Ph.D.-level) with the goal of advancing students’ understanding of advanced topics in human physiology.

Kin 110 - Human Performance and Nutrition (TA)

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts

2019 - 2018

Led 7 discussion sections to over 200 undergraduate students over the course of 2 semesters with the goal of teaching students about healthy lifestyles.

Kin 100 - Physical Fitness Concepts and Activities (Instructor of Record)

Stephen F. Austin State University

Nacogdoches, Texas

2016 - 2015

Instructed 1 section of over 30 students with the goal of providing students insights to a healthy lifestyle.

KIN 120 - Foundations of Kinesiology (Instructor of Record)

Stephen F. Austin State University

Nacogdoches, Texas

2015

Instructed 1 section of over 30 students with the goal of introducing students to the field of kinesiology.

KIN 200 - Fitness Activites for Life (Instructor of Record)

Stephen F. Austin State University

Nacogdoches, Texas

2014

Instructed 1 section of over 30 students with the goal of developing student-centered fitness plans and goals which can be used throughout life.

American Red Cross CPR and Lifeguarding Instructor

Various

Texas

2016 - 2012

Led dozens of independent Lifeguard and CPR/AED + First Aid courses to hundreds of lifeguards.

Professional Development & Training

Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist

American College of Sports Medicine

Indianapolis, Indiana

Current

Certified Exercise Physiologist

American College of Sports Medicine

Indianapolis, Indiana

Current

Oroboros O2k-Workshop on High-Resolution Respirometry (HRR)

Oroboros Instruments

Schröcken, Austria

2019

Honors and Awards

Student Research Poster Finalist - Masters Category

Texas American College of Sports Medicine

Waco, Texas

2017

Undergraduate Research Conference Top Scholar

Stephen F. Austin State University School of Honors

Nacogdoches, Texas

2014

Trainees

Alexs Matias (Graduate)

Trained how to collect skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration data using the Oxygraph O2K and the assessment of vascular function using Doppler Ultrasound.

N/A

Present - 2019

M. Enes Erol (Graduate)

Trained how to collect skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration data using the Oxygraph O2K and the assessment of vascular function using Doppler Ultrasound.

N/A

Present - 2020

Mia Calderone (Undergraduate)

Trained how to collect skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration data using the Oxygraph O2K and the assessment of vascular function using Doppler Ultrasound.

N/A

Present - 2020

Jack Madden (Undergraduate)

Trained how to collect skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration data using the Oxygraph O2K.

N/A

Present - 2020

Jyotika Vallurupalli (Undergraduate)

Trained the assessment of vascular function using Doppler Ultrasound and continuous non-invasive arterial pressure.

N/A

2018 - 2021

Sebastien Rauch (Undergraduate)

Honors Thesis: Validity and Specificity of Tetramethylrhodamine, Methyl Ester (TMRM) Dye in Mice Gastrocnemius Muscle Fiber Bundles for Assessing Mitochondrial Membrane Potential.

N/A

2020 - 2018